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OF 



HON. JOSEPH M. BELFORD, 



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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 



Thursday, March 31, 1898. 



WASHUS-a-TON". 

1898. 






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SPEECH 

HON. JOSEPH M. BELFORD 



The House being in Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union, 
and having under consideration the bill <H. R. 9378) making appropriations 
for the naval service for the fiscal year ending June :JU, 1*99, and for other 
purposes- 
Mr. BELFORD said: 

Mr. < ii HUMAN: I move to strike out the last word. 
The question of liberal, aye, bounteous, appropriations for the 
increase of the United States Navy is one that addresses itself to 
every dictate of sound judgment and every impulse of lofty 
patriotism. Under the complex conditions of modern civilization 
and international intercourse it seems that the necessary condi- 
tion of peace is a thorough and adequate equipment for war; and 
under circumstances such as those that now confront us, and in 
the solemn and momentous situation in which we find ourselves 
to-day. the voice of everyone, irrespective of political lines or 
political affinities, must favor the placing of the American Navy 
on such a footing as will enable it to successfully cope with any 
navy upon the broad expanse of the ocean. And it is probable 
that this proposition has never been more forcibly emphasized 
nor the attention of the country more sharply directed to this 
truth than at the present hour. 

Conditions are such now with reference to our relations to the 
Government of Spain that at any moment we may either choose 
or be forced to make a test of our naval strength upon the high 
seas. But it must prove a source of universal gratification, Mr. 
Chairman, to the hearts of American people to know that if we 
do so choose, or are thus toned, it will be in one of the most 
righteous causes upon which the smile of God has ever rested. 
[Applause on the Democratic sule.J 

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The history of Cuba for fifty years has been the history of a 
people vainly struggling for freedom. I say to yon, Mr. Chair- 
man, that the hour is now here when Cuba must be free. [Ap- 
planse.] The pledge of the American people, the will of God, 
decree this. | Applause. J You can no longer forestall this con- 
clusion, gentlemen. And while I have been highly edified at the 
exalted exhibition of virtue and courage upon that side of the 
Chamber, I want to reassure you, gentlemen, a- to the attitude of 
this side so far as lam individually concerned. You will see this 
question settled, see it settled by the Republican party, voicing 
the highest aspirations of the American i pie, see it -et'- 
honor dictates, see it settled as the highe-t dictates of conscience 
and of manhood demand. [Applause. | 

And in my humble judgment, Mr. Chairman. Cuba musl be 
free, not by purchase, not by the payment of two hundred mil- 
lions, or less or more, in gold, but free by the diviner right of 
having purchased her freedom by a higher price than gold — the 
blood of her patriotic sons, shed in the most cruel, the most inhu- 
man, the most infamous war that has ever befouled the pa_ 
history. If these results can be accomplished bypeacefn] nego- 
tiations, well and good; but accomplished they must be, or the 
voice of the American people go unheeded. And it to accomplish 
them there must be an appeal to the most sob'inn and terrible of 
all tribunals, as Longfellow sings of the Building of the Ship, so 
will the undivided voice of the American people say to our noble 
President and to our gallant Navy which he shall thus commission: 

Our hearts, our hopes, are all with thee,— 
Our hearts, our hopes, our prayers, our tears. 
Our faith triumphant o'er our ; 

Are all with thee,— are all with n 

[Applause.] 

Mr. WILLIAMS of Mississippi. Through the action of Ameri- 
cans. 

[Here the hammer fell.] 
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